Hoddle Claims Tuchel Has A “Problem” With Chelsea Star As He Questions His Future At The Club

Hoddle Claims Tuchel Has A “Problem” With Chelsea Star As He Questions His Future At The Club

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is not quite sure what to do with Romelu Lukaku, according to Glenn Hoddle.

The ex-Blues boss and BT Sport pundit believes the Belgian’s performances in recent months mean that Tuchel is right to bench him and there are question marks over whether the striker will stay at Stamford Bridge beyond this season:

“Havertz has simply played better than Lukaku, to be honest, and has a bit more subtlety to his game. Lukaku is a bit of a problem for Tuchel – he doesn’t quite know what to do with him. Ever since he did that interview with Italian media it has all gone pear-shaped with his form and injuries. He has to look at himself in the mirror and change his mindset.”

“Lukaku needs game-time and he isn’t getting it because he doesn’t deserve it. At the moment it is an easy decision for Tuchel. He doesn’t see a reaction from him. There are a lot of things happening at the club that need to be sorted right now and Lukaku’s future is one of those.”

Unless things turn around in the final weeks of the campaign, Lukaku could well be looking for a new club in the summer. The club-record signing has failed to meet expectations and his inability to adapt to Tuchel’s style of play has led to him being left out of the side.

As Hoddle points out, Kai Havertz is simply better suited to the system that the team plays. The German comes deep for the ball, gets involved in build-up play and links up well with his teammates, as well as working hard out of possession.

Lukaku just hasn’t been up to the task, but the big question is, who could afford to sign him? A return to Inter has been mooted but the Serie A champions are not in a position financially to make an offer. A loan exit may well have to be considered if things don’t improve.